'Believe, Belong, Become': Brisbane 2032 reveals vision for Olympic and Paralympic Games
A collection of simple words will guide Australia's Olympic and Paralympic comeback as Brisbane reveals what organisers say will define the 2032 Games.
Brisbane 2032 has unveiled its official Games Vision with the words “Believe. Belong. Become.” to drive the success of the global event and its legacies for Queensland long after the flame goes out.
In a major milestone for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, organisers on Wednesday night unveiled the new three-word mantra crafted from the biggest consultation process undertaken for a Brisbane Games decision so far.
The vision is pitched as the guiding philosophy for how Brisbane will host Australia’s first Olympics in 32 years — and how Queensland will use the Games to transform itself.
The words “Believe. Belong. Become.” were among three slogans taken to market for testing, in a process that was paid for privately by the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
“Believe” reflects confidence in the power of sport and the resilience of the Australian spirit, with Games planners saying both can unlock “limitless potential, grit and heart” as Brisbane takes on the world stage.
“Belong” promises an Olympics and Paralympics where “everyone is welcome”, with every athlete, volunteer, spectator and community “celebrated” and the event run on a “fair and fun” playing field.
“Become” is a call to action — a declaration that 2032 is “our moment and our move”, and that the city will harness the “magic of the Games” to become stronger and step into a “new era”.
The vision is backed by six commitments that spell out how organisers want Queensland to look and feel as 2032 approaches: getting more people active in sport, rolling out the welcome mat to the world, making access easy “for everyone, everywhere”, embracing the state’s natural environment as a defining advantage, seizing massive economic opportunities and celebrating the state’s rich history and modern culture.
More than 6000 Australians had their say in developing the Games Vision and commitments, including almost 3000 from across Queensland.
Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris said the Games Vision had significant symbolism behind it, and would act as the “north star” towards 2032.
He said the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees had never seen a more comprehensive process for the development of a Games Vision.
“We are actually going to deliver an incredible series of events, but between now and then, and then beyond, they’ll have a lasting legacy for this part of the world, for the city, the state and the country,” he said.
“I think the words should give you that narrative.”
Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski said the vision was bold and reflected the “warmth and dynamism of Queenslanders”.
“It’s been a privilege for me and the entire Coordination Commission to participate in this impressive and wide-reaching consultation,” she said.
International Paralympic Committee Executive Director, Paralympic Games, Colleen Wrenn said the Games Vision was exciting, motivating, straight forward, highly memorably, easy to understand and extremely powerful.
“The... words stand for so much and underline Brisbane 2032’s passion and commitment to deliver transformational Paralympic Games that will not just unite and inspire Queenslanders and Australians, but the whole world,” she said.
Australian Olympic Committee President, Ian Chesterman AM said the Games Vision would strongly resonate with athletes.
“Every athlete must believe they are ready to take on the best in the world,” Mr Chesterman “When they make the Australian Olympic Team, they truly belong to something revered.
“A home Games is an enormous motivation for every aspiring athlete in Queensland and across Australia.”
Paralympics Australia President Grant Mizens OAM PLY said the vision recognised the scale and significance of hosting both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and set the expectation for what Brisbane must deliver.
“Paralympics Australia is fully committed to bringing this vision to life,” Mr Mizens said.
“It aligns with our own strategic direction and with the type of Games we believe Australia should host.
“We’re ready to play our role as a Games Delivery Partner to ensure the Paralympic component is not only delivered to the highest standard but sets new benchmarks for all future hosts to aspire to.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the vision captured “the spirit of a city that believes in itself and welcomes the world”.
“Brisbane will be a Games that brings people together and strengthens our city for generations,” Cr Schrinner.
“This is not how we market the games to the world.
“This is how we engage and get the local community involved in Brisbane 2032.”
Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander said the vision captured the “drive, ambition and belief in what’s possible” and sets a clear direction for what the Games would represent.
“I think that it will unite people,” he said.
“I think it talks about our moment in time where Queensland comes of age, and as we are on show to the world, and as well as that, making sure that we deliver legacy infrastructure that will benefit Queenslanders for decades and decades to come.”
Olympian Patrick Johnson said the word “belong” would help inspire Queenslanders from the city to the country aspire to be part of the Games.
“I can see the power of, not only for the athletes themselves, but for the country, for maybe a young person in a remote community, somebody in a country town, they see themselves as part of these games, which is so powerful,” he said.
“I think we’ve got to start thinking that everyone is a part of these games, not only the next six years, when the games come, but post those games, we can actually celebrate we created the best games ever.”
Paralympian Madison de Rozario said with “belong” at the centre of the vision, the 2032 Games were continuing the Paralympic movement.
“I think to be a part of this vision statement, and to see it roll out, and to see ‘belong’ being the central word, I think in this vision statement is so exciting,” she said.
“I think we always knew that we could have another catalyst Games here in Australia.
“But I think upon seeing this vision statement, upon seeing the way we’re creating a structure and an environment that creates such inclusivity, it isn’t something that I’ve seen happen before on an event of this scale.
“I think if this is the way we plan on telling these stories going forward to these games, I think Brisbane 2032 with this vision, could be the biggest catalyst for the Paralympic movement.”
Caleb and Joel Lang, 14-year-old twins from North Brisbane are rising talents in Queensland’s Para sport pathways program who hope to both be competing for Australia in 2032.
After attending a YouFor2032 talent search testing day last year, the pair were inducted into the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Para Unit this year.
The brothers are currently aligned with swimming, while sampling a range of sports to find their ideal fit.
Both are very competitive and trialling powerlifting, while Caleb is also keen for athletics and the 100m sprint.
“We’re still testing and finding the sweet spot that we like but I’m pretty keen for powerlifting,” Joel said.
“We’re a bit competitive so we’ll probably end up in the same sport but probably have our individual sports also.”
Originally published as 'Believe, Belong, Become': Brisbane 2032 reveals vision for Olympic and Paralympic Games
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